UNIVERSITY OF MALTA ANNUAL REPORT 2007
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
CONTENTS
Quality Assurance
Research Project Team
Degree Plus
Ceremonies at University Church
Malta University Holdings Company
University Website
Foundation Day Celebrations
Honouring UoM’s First Female Graduate
Strengthening our Links with the Media
International Masters Programme
University Library
New Departments
Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
Strengthening the Administrative Capacity
Recruitment Campaign
International Opportunities
Financial Statement (Income & Expenditure Account)
Financial Statement (Balance Sheet)
Student Statistics
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Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
QUALITY ASSURANCE
The University set up the Academic Programmes Quality and Resources Unit (APQRU)
to provide the administrative support necessary to ensure that:
· The learning outcomes, and the course and study-unit descriptions of any new teaching
programme proposed are well defined in accordance with established practice and
University regulations, and moreover that the resources required to deliver the programme
to the highest standards of quality are determined;
· The learning outcomes, and the course and study-unit descriptions of any established
teaching programme are reviewed periodically, and moreover the resource requirements
are updated; and
· The mechanisms to obtain student appraisal and feedback on delivery of lectures in
the various teaching programmes are established and moreover the feedback received
is followed up with an eye to improving the quality of the delivery.
RESEARCH PROJECT TEAM
A university’s capacity to carry out research is really what defines an educational institution
as a university. The University of Malta is keen to create the coordinates for the best
possible access to EU and other funds so that its academic staff can maximise their
potential for their benefit and that of the whole University. A team of advisors has been
appointed to assist members of staff in the project proposal stage and during the project’s
life, in particular to provide assistance relating to administrative and financial procedures.
The team will provide assistance on the technical, legal and financial aspects of a project.
(Faces)
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
DEGREE PLUS
The Degree Plus programme is the first of its kind at the University in many ways, as it
sets out to provide students with the opportunity to boost their academic studies with
additional practical skills and experiences that enrich their character and employability.
Degree Plus activities are being promoted as an opportunity to obtain a more holistic
approach to education in a fun environment.
For the first year 2007/2008, the programme is targeting first year students, but eventually
it will be made available to all students. Among the units on offer, there is ‘Entrepreneurship’
which focuses on inspiring participants to be the leaders of tomorrow, ‘Voluntary work’
which requires students to undertake 20 hours of social work, ‘Information and
Communication Technology’ that seeks to provide a basic understanding of computers,
and ‘Language Development for Professional Purposes’ that seeks to enhance students’
language competence.
The appointment of the Bank of Valletta as the official Education Partner of the Degree
Plus programme is also part of a wider strategy to involve business and industry in the
University’s activities.
CEREMONIES AT UNIVERSITY CHURCH
As part of its effort to valorise its graduates, the University started to organise its
postgraduate graduation ceremonies at the University Church in Valletta. The Church
forms part of the Old University Building in Valletta which was built in 1592 and continued
to be used by University of Malta until 1968. The move of the four postgraduate ceremonies
was very much appreciated by the graduates and their families who crowded the Church
with a record turnout of academic staff for the occasion.
The street was decked with banners and a formal procession took place between the Old
University entrance and that of the Church. The University Ensemble participated in the
ceremony and a reception for all participants was held after each ceremony.
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
MALTA UNIVERSITY HOLDING COMPANY
A major development within the commercial arm of the University of Malta saw the
transformation of Malta University Services into a Holding Company encompassing several
different areas of commercial activity. (Illustrated List)
This move will give the University space to develop actions which, while enhancing the
University’s economic potential, will give it the opportunity to valorise the academic staff
who perform work within the University community in ways which are not necessarily
directly connected with their lecturing and research activities.
UNIVERSITY WEBSITE
The relaunch of the UoM website took place in October 2007 after many months of
planning and fruitful discussions held both physically and, appropriately, virtually. The
original site had developed amorphously over a number of years and needed to be given
not only a totally new look but a new structure. The user mind set had to be changed
to suit the needs of the University as we move towards the second decade of the new
century.
The Content Management System is now being adopted by all faculties, institutes and
centres while important information which is common to all will be accessed from central
points. This CMS will give ‘ownership’ of the individual pages to the faculties and
departments while reducing the chance of error and misinformation.
The Maltese version of the site is in the pipeline and should be up and running shortly.
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS
To celebrate Foundation Day (22nd November) and to honour its new graduates, the
University held a concert at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The National Orchestra
conducted by Michael Laus performed popular classical pieces. A reception was held
afterwards in the La Valette Hall. The evening was attended by graduands, their parents
and guests.
HONOURING UoM’s FIRST FEMALE GRADUATE
The University commemorated its first female graduate, Miss Tessie Camilleri, with the
naming of a campus walkway in her honour. Vjal Tessie Camilleri is the walkway opposite
the old university gateway by the side of University House. Tessie Camilleri entered the
University in October 1919 and commenced an Arts degree. She graduated B.Litt., on
2 May, 1922 and thus became the University of Malta’s first female graduate.
STRENGTHENING OUR LINKS WITH THE MEDIA
A good relationship with the media is of paramount importance for a university that is
so much part of Maltese life. Our graduates form the basis of virtually all the institutions
on the island: political, business, industrial, as well as many of the non-governmental
organisations that form Malta’s civil society. Getting our message across is extremely
important because the University is always in the front line. As part of an effort to nurture
the University’s rapport with the print, sound and digital Media, a luncheon was held in
the Rector’s dining room at the Old University Building in Valletta. The aim was to meet
members of the media in a congenial relaxed environment. After a brief outline by the
Rector of the University’s main strategy areas, journalists and senior officials of the
University enjoyed an excellent meal and a chance for an informal chat.
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
INTERNATIONAL MASTERS PROGRAMMES
The University embarked on an initiative with the aim of creating collaborative graduate
degree programme together with leading North American universities. The creation of
such partnerships by the University of Malta is considered as a major step in the
development of higher education in Malta. Such collaborative programmes are expected
to attract the interest of higher education and prestigious research institutions, as well
as international students to Malta and increase research opportunities for the Maltese.
The University of Malta is marketing such dual degree programmes under the brand
“International Masters Programmes” (IMPs). This brand will provide the umbrella to
market a series of dual Masters Programmes to be taught in Malta, which address the
demand for innovative expertise and problem solving skills on a variety of contemporary
issues in the face of emerging globalisation. Today, decision makers have to draw upon
a range of traditional areas of knowledge to provide practical solutions in real-world
scenarios. Degree programmes organised under the IMPs brand will also seek to draw
real-world case-studies from a Euro-Mediterranean perspective.
The teaching of these degree programmes will be principally housed in the old building
of the University of Malta in Valletta, the historic campus of the university built in 1598.
Plans are underway to start renovating parts of this building to incorporate state-of-theart instructional technology, a suitably resourced library, and other supporting facilities.
The M.Sc in Sustainable Environment Resources Management (SERM) is the first in a
series of such collaborative programmes. The University of Malta and James Madison
University, USA signed an agreement to offer a dual postgraduate degree programme
leading to the SERM Masters. The degree will be awarded by the University of Malta and
concurrently an MS. in Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) will be awarded by
James Madison University.
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
Another important initiative was the formulation of a plan to transform parts of the
University library into an information commons with spaces that are conducive of informal
individual and group learning, blending books with digital media in an environment which
encourages more and more of our students to remain on campus to socialise whilst
learning in and across disciplines.
This plan forms part of a general upgrading of the Library and seeks to bring together,
for the convenience of users, the Library’s print collection, its growing range of electronic
resources, and the extensive facilities of the University IT Services unit.
NEW DEPARTMENTS
Translation & Interpreting, German and History of Art
As part of the University’s strategy to enhance the job opportunities for its students, the
Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies in the Faculty of Arts was set up with
a one year postgraduate diploma and one Masters course starting in October 2007.
The Department of German was set up towards the end of 2007, with the University of
Malta funding one full-time post, and DAAD - the German Academic Exchange Services
- supporting a second full-time member of staff and committing itself to support the
Department through exchange visits and through the provision of technical materials.
The new Department of History of Art was inaugurated in time for the new academic year
and, although History of Art has been taught at the University for some years, the elevation
to department level aims to give the study of fine art the importance it deserves and a
position which reflects the high level of research that has already been achieved by Maltese
academics in this field.
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
FACULTY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY
The need for a Faculty of Information and Communication Technology had long been
felt. The new Faculty, which was set up in October 2007, is responsible for the areas of
Informatics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Communications and Computer
Engineering, and of Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics.
As from October 2007, the new Faculty of ICT started to offer a new three-year B.Sc.
(Hons) ICT degree with a number of areas of study that replaced the four-year course
B.Sc. IT (Hons). This new degree programme aims to prepare graduates to take on
positions in the Information and Communication Technology industry within the respective
ICT areas of study.
Over 200 prospective students attended a presentation of the new three-year B.Sc. (Hons)
ICT degree programme. The students, who were addressed by various academic members
of the Faculty, showed a keen interest in the different study options available, which
include Communications and Computer Engineering (CCE), Computer Information Systems
(CIS), Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) and Information & Communication
Technology (ICT). Some of the areas may be taken with a subsidiary subject such as
Linguistics; Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Mathematics.
The Faculty is also running a part-time evening degree course leading to a B.Sc. (Hons.)
ICT, chiefly aimed at those who are already working. There is also a conversion Masters
course, MIT, for graduates in areas other than ICT.
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
STRENGTHENING THE ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY
The University has been growing steadily since the early 90s. Student numbers have
increased from around 1,000 in 1991 to 10,000 in 2007 with nearly 3000 students now
graduating every year.
The academic staff numbers have increased proportionately to retain a good student/lecturer
ratio and the administrative and technical staff has had to also increase to cope with the
support needs of the University.
During 2007, the effort was focussed on enhancing already existing structures while at
the same time creating new ones. The Communications Office was one of the first to
be strengthened as it added ‘Alumni Relations’ to its remit and the new Director became
responsible not only for the University’s public and internal image but also for the
development of an Alumni Association which had never existed at this University in any
formal manner.
It was also important to have a permanent and dedicated legal office within the Administrative
set up to deal with every aspect of capacity building, from HR to Projects and from Estates
to Intellectual Property. The Director of Legal Services will soon be joined by a muchneeded team of young lawyers.
The burgeoning numbers and enormous increase in activities has put pressure on the
existing buildings on campus and much effort is being put into a sustainable increase
in floor space to accommodate such important fields as Information and Communication
Technology.
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN
The development of the University services, both academic and
administrative, have necessitated the expansion of the human resources
pool and in 2007 there was a drive to recruit at every level. An extra
emphasis was made on strengthening the senior management structures and
a number of directorates were setup, whilst others were reorganised and
strengthened. However, the strengthening of the high level structures
could not happen without an increase at the other levels – clerical and
graduate trainees, in particular as well as technical and support staff.
A proportional increase in the number academic staff was also felt
necessary so as to maintain a healthy balance between the number of
students and the number of academic staff.
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
An important initiative in the area of international relations was the agreement between
the University of Malta and the Embassy of France through which science and engineering
students will have the opportunity to gain work experience by visiting industrial laboratories
and scientific institutions in France. The French Embassy will finance the students during
their stay in France. The aim of strengthening collaboration in the scientific and technological
fields in cooperation with French industry fits perfectly with the University’s objective of
offering international experience to its students. In 2007 six students took up placements
in prominent French laboratories to benefit from this initiative.
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
Outstanding Past Bright Future
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
STUDENT STATISTICS
Student Intake 2006/2007
Undergraduate
Humanities
Sciences
Other disciplines
f
911
236
159
m
463
321
110
total
1374
557
269
Postgraduate
Humanities
Sciences
Other disciplines
f
369
22
55
m
249
48
29
total
618
70
84
f
2986
817
588
m
1667
1151
295
total
4653
1968
883
f
855
89
125
m
604
201
89
total
1459
290
214
f
1004
127
180
m
584
192
55
total
1588
319
235
f
224
17
59
m
146
25
50
total
370
42
109
m
943
937
965
1067
1098
1129
1052
total
1972
2033
2213
2710
2594
2662
2663
Student Population 2007
Undergraduate
Humanities
Sciences
Other disciplines
Postgraduate
Humanities
Sciences
Other disciplines
New Graduates 2007
Undergraduate
Humanities
Sciences
Other disciplines
Postgraduate
Humanities
Sciences
Other disciplines
Degrees conferred, Diplomas awarded 2001-2007
Year
f
2001
1029
2002
1096
2003
1248
2004
1643
2005
1496
2006
1533
2007
1611
Outstanding Past Bright Future